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Physical Address: Auckland.
I work from a home-based office and sell online.
Operating Since: October 2009
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| Vanessa and family |
I am a full-time stay-at-home mama of two, who believes in beautiful, quality cotton garments for gorgeous growing children. Bubbalino began out of necessity. I started out with the "Bibette" - a stylish but functional dribble bib for my daughter who was a very spilly little Miss. One thing led to another and I found myself in business making these little Bibettes for friends, coffee group mummies, and then boutiques around the country. There was nothing I had seen that was as beautiful as I set out to create; and although there were other similarly styled 'bandana' bibs available, they were all made from novelty or kitschy, typically 'baby'-looking fabrics and I didn't want anything that screamed 'infant'. The expansion into a few select clothing pieces was a natural evolution to complement the Bibette & to keep my daughter dressed in the cuteness I hadn't found elsewhere. Once I had a son, I naturally began to design pieces for him & the expansion continued into a range for Little Lads
What kind of clothes do you make?
Bubbalino is a small boutique label creating a small range of gorgeous clothing for newborns to 3 year olds. You can find heirloom styled pieces in our range including Ruffle Buns which are gorgeous under-dresses or on their own; the Itty Bitty Playsuit which is perfect for rough'n'tumbling little guys; the Chloe dress which is great for a special occasion; and of course the Bibette which comes in a wide array of fabrics to suit any outfit.
Who makes your clothes?
I have a wonderful woman based in Onehunga who does all my sewing. Her workmanship is impeccable and her sewing skills are immaculate. I feel very confident with her behind the machine.
Who sells your clothing? Can we buy them online?
Currently Bubbalino is stocked in about 25 boutiques and gift stores throughout New Zealand and one store in Japan. And you can, of course, purchase direct through our website.
What price range are your clothes in?
Prices range from $17.50 to $69.90.
Why do you think NZ clothing labels outsource their manufacturing overseas?
Because from a financial point of view, it seems like an absolute no-brainer. It's incredibly difficult as a wholesaler to make any real money when making quality garments from beautiful fabrics in NZ. Yet I continue along this road because I believe in the concept of "Made in New Zealand". I also understand it's not feasible for many people to buy NZ-made for their children, even if they'd like to, when our cost of living is so high & there are so many cheaper labels available that have been made offshore. Children grow out of clothing well before it wears out & to spend a lot on their clothing even for a better quality garment just sometimes may not make financial sense for the consumer.
What could the Government do to help clothing labels keep it in NZ?
I definitely think it would be a great idea to provide support for keeping manufacturing in New Zealand. I wish there was an incentive for the CMT (Cut, Make & Trim) industry to be bigger and more accessible than it is. In doing my research, I was astounded to find that using a locally based CMT would mean the cost of the labour alone (not including fabric, thread, domes, buttons, swing tags or labels) would be more than the current total wholesale price of any of my garments! And that's just sad.
Anything to add?
At the end of the day, I do this because I love it. Bubbalino has become my third child & I believe in my brand, and the beautiful clothing and accessories that I've developed. I don't know what the future holds but for now, I'm enjoying myself.
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